Yes Drew, we currently live in a condo. However selling it is probably not an option because I am darn sure I am underwater. I am not keen on taking our savings and paying off the difference in the mortgage for what we might be able to sell it. Our savings is our down payment on the next home. We're going to have a realtor do an appraisal just to see where we're at but I'm not confident. The units here have been selling for at least $15k less than what I owe against comparables (we unfortunately bought in 2006 around the height of the market) Some are even selling for $140-$160k's It's depressing.

I've done a lot of work to our condo and I fear I'm not going to make any of it back, if I do it'd be minimal. So we really only have the option of renting it out. The good thing though is I have my father and also my mom and stepfather all within 30 minutes of my current place and if something needed to be fixed I can call upon them (both are extremely handy). I certainly would love to sell it and get rid of it but I just don't think it's going to happen. There's a few units on the market here that are basically the same as when they were built so my market value would be higher than those but the highest one has sold for recently was 6 months ago and sold for $170k. I owe about $180k.

The biggest problem we experience now is space. Our family is growing. We have a 15 month old daughter now and are looking to expand that to another child very soon, but we cannot until we move into a bigger place. There's no storage, I have our stuff stored at my parent's basement and also my father's garage. Stuff is everywhere. It's a big pain having to keep moving stuff around, and all of you with kids know that they accumulate more and more as they grow. The grandparents don't help with that respect ya know. There always buying stuff, hahaha.

Renting for a bit is definitely an option, not ideal but could be the smart move until we get situated and then focus on finding "our place". We plan to be there for a long time. NJ is just way to expensive. I'd like my wife to be able to stay home with our daughter and if we have another child too. But in NJ it's just damn near impossible. You need two incomes. My salary down in SC would go SO much further, and quality of life will be dramatically improved.

We're familiar with the areas, 4 yrs ago (when we originally wanted to do this and then the credit crisis put a delay in that) we spent a week visiting charlotte and the surrounding SC towns we're looking at. It's a great place. I also have a friend who lives in Charlotte, and he's even an agent on the side. So that helps. Right now we're focused on Fort Mill, and from the research we've done they have excellent schools and the area is growing. It's right near Lake Wylie so we'll have close proximity to the lake. Our dream would be to get a lakefront home but I just don't think we can swing it yet. We're still young so maybe in 10 or so years. So I'd be happy with close proximity and a house that fits our needs. You just cannot get anything in NJ like we're looking at in SC. SC has lower taxes than NC (we met a couple when we were down there that suggested we look right over the border at Fort Mill, Rock Hill, Gastonia who informed us of this). And it's all within a short drive to Charlotte.

My manager is working with me to create an opportunity to work remotely which is awesome. We have a satellite office right in Charlotte so I could drop in there every couple of days for protocol, but would mainly be working from home.

That point about the furniture is a good one, hadn't thought about that so thanks for pointing it out.

Anyways, like it was said before, moving sucks and it's daunting. Researching the net takes so much time and it's like information overload. I just have to remain focused.

Thanks for all of the insights. Really appreciate it. I just hope I don't have to sell the Supra to move down there! Wife says no way but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. Not a thought yet, but its possible.

Good luck to you deerfield and your family's move. Hoping it goes easy. That's gotta be tough to be away from them for so long. I couldn't do it with having my little girl.

Justin
2008 Supra 21V
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

03-02-2013, 09:54 PM

deerfield

End of the story:

Today, bought a RAM 1500. Not as nice as the one on which my wife and I had an eye in November. But, it better fits our budget and need. It's a leftover 2012 model. Red, crew cab, Hemi engine, running boards, bed liner. Price out the door, including TTL ($2,680), is $27,411. I'll post a pic in a couple of weeks. Great tow vehicle. Great looking truck. Nice ride. Nice sound system. I am VERY pleased.

glad you were able to get something worked out. anxious to see some pics.

03-30-2013, 05:20 PM

deerfield

Okay. Need advice on a tonneau cover.

Choices are soft or hard cover.Though more expensive, I am leaning toward the hard cover for security when leaving stuff in the truck bed during the day when we are on the boat.

Then, there is plastic or fiberglass. I think plastic as it is lighter and the less expensive of the two. If it's just me, I can more easily detach and install on my own.

There is a brand called UnderCover that I can order through and have installed by Pep Boys, near to where I am living here in Richmond. Price is around $800. Black only (fine w/ me, as it match the black trim).

What has been your experience with tonneau covers on your trucks? What did you buy? What has worked well/not so well?

I had one on the F150 and Black Betty F350. I never had an issue with anyone taking anything out of the bed because they latch just inside the tailgate and you can lock the tailgate. So they have to cut it to get in it.

I like the fact i can roll it up and have full use of the bed in seconds.

On Serenity F350 she came with a camper shell, while i do LOVE this i do miss the ease of trowing large items in the bed now. If i want to get gravel, or dirt of the yard i have to get a trailer because it takes 2-4 people to remove the camper shell.

03-30-2013, 08:18 PM

moombadaze

have a roll up soft cover on mine-love it, hardly ever leave anything in the bed but the security of a hard cover could make it worthwhile

03-30-2013, 09:51 PM

maxpower220

I bought the Undercover Flex. It's a hard 3 piece flip cover. After owning 2 Avalanches, I got used to the hard covered storage. I like it, but I think anything would have really worked. I do have a tool box and towing items in the bed, so I don't worry about them being stolen easily. It fits level with the bed and looks nice.

If you are being charged much, install it yourself. Literally, there is nothing to the one I have.